Pat's Anfield delight

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Pat Holland feels his side warrant their place in the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup after an enterprising performance against Liverpool at Anfield in a game that went all the way to penalties.

The under-18 side responded magnificently - in front of the watching Frank Arnesen and Chris Hughton - to falling behind on eight minutes with a goal six minutes later from Andy Barcham. Good possession and chances followed throughout, along with three strong penalty claims, but the absorbing game was settled by a penalty shootout that was won by a 4-2 margin.

"It was an eventful game and I think we deserved it in the end," considered coach Pat. "There were a few decisions the referee could have made - two I thought were blatant - but there you go. The boys kept battling away and, near the end, it became inevitable it would go to penalties.

"They had a couple of chances, Tommy made a couple of saves, but generally we deserved the game. We just needed that little breakthrough. In fairness, we had two schoolboys and it was Joey Martin's first game on a big stage to come out and perform. Jamie Davis is another young lad and they both acquitted themselves well."

Pat added that the boys relished the whole occasion of travelling up the day before for an overnight stay in preparation for performing in another Premiership arena.

"It has been good, it is very, very professional for the kids. Liverpool have been fantastic, they allowed us to train at their Academy training ground and we thank them for that. We would reciprocate and it is nice to have this kind of relationship with a club.

"Both sides wanted to play the right way, the kids conducted themselves well and it is all part of the build-up towards being a young professional footballer. To come here to Anfield and perform is a big thing - and it is fantastic that Frank Arnesen and Chris Hughton came along to watch.

"The boys have been well supported all round, so it is marvellous."

Of course, the prospect of taking on Everton at home in the next round would not have been possible without the contribution of goalkeeper Tommy Forecast, who made two vital saves on 90 minutes, one in the second period of extra time followed by the two penalty stops. Pat was quick to pass praise onto Tommy's coach Perry Suckling.

"A lot of credit has got to go to Perry Suckling for that. He did a fantastic job with Shwan Jalal and Rob Burch when we had them, Nicky Eyre and he's now doing the same with Tommy.

"It is lovely to have an individual coach with Perry's background and experience working with them on a day to day basis. The kids and team reap the rewards at the end of it and I am delighted for Tommy and Perry."